Future CBI chiefs may not get two-year fixed term

Currently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief enjoys a fixed term of two years. In other agencies, such as ED, the chief too gets a fixed tenure of two years, but the tenure can be extended for limited periods of time less than two years. The CBI chief, however, can get no extension, but can get another term of two years again.

New Delhi: After the unsavoury CBI vs CBI controversy that broke out between ex-CBI chief Alok Verma and his immediate deputy Rakesh Asthana, which not only hit the image of the premier investigation agency, but led to a spate of legal cases and threatened to suck in the entire top brass, the new Narendra Modi regime is seriously mulling over doing away with the fixed two-year tenure of agency chiefs.

Currently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief enjoys a fixed term of two years. In other agencies, such as ED, the chief too gets a fixed tenure of two years, but the tenure can be extended for limited periods of time less than two years. The CBI chief, however, can get no extension, but can get another term of two years again.

According to highly placed sources, the regime in its second term is thinking of making the CBI chief’s term dependent on the pleasure of his/her superiors to pave the way for easing out truant officers in time to avoid any embarrassment to the department as well as the government.

The move assumes significance as the CBI vs CBI controversy also saw the entire top bureaucracy divided into two camps, with officers lobbying on behalf of one or the other. In the ensuing conflict, several crucial cases too got embroiled as their investigating officers were transferred.

Even the appointment of interim CBI chief Nageshwar Rao had also kicked off another row.

Ultimately, Verma was transferred out of the CBI as Director General (DG) Fire Services but did not join and resigned from the service. The CBI Vs CBI row had started with Asthana having been appointed as special director which Verma took as dilution of his position. Verma then made moves against Asthana, but then the situation spiralled out of hand.